PEN PRESENTS: “SECRET SOURCES” will bring together NSA whistleblower Thomas Drake, Jesselyn Radack of the Whistleblower & Source Protection Program at ExposeFacts, and New York Times reporter James Risen with moderator Susan Glasser of Politico to debate the impact of the Obama administration’s aggressive pursuit of national security leaks on freedom of expression. The issue has gained unprecedented national attention following the 2013 revelations by former NSA contractor Edward Snowden, who will join the event via Skype following the panel in a conversation with PEN Executive Director Suzanne Nossel on whistleblowing and questions of conscience.

Secret Sources: Whistleblowers, National Security, and Free Expression, to be released at the event. PEN’s research demonstrates that gaps in existing protections for whistleblowers, coupled with failure to adequately address retaliation against leakers and the Obama Administration’s use of the Espionage Act against them, are damaging freedom of expression, press freedom, and access to information in the United States.

On #4Jun we've announced we'll honor Chinese essayist Xu Zhiyong, jailed for a critique of Beijing's response to COVID-19. Whether in China, the US or anywhere we need to stand with those brave enough to hold leaders accountable. https://apnews.com/d8969ee401283fb19e5bdd8aa38c6157

NEW: "Xu Zhiyong, a prominent Chinese activist and legal scholar detained by the government since earlier this year, is being honored by PEN America." via @AP https://apnews.com/d8969ee401283fb19e5bdd8aa38c6157